QuickBooks® Desktop Installation Guide

If you are enrolled in a QuickBooks Online course, go here.

If you are a high-school student, your teacher will complete the educator registration.

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Install Your Trial | Activate Your Trial | Toggle to Pro | Common Questions


Your trial software is provided by Intuit using the SheerID service. Most students are instantly verified. If not, or if your school is added as a custom school, you will go through a second-level verification process that can take about 20 minutes.

NOTE! This trial software is for use on a Windows PC only. It cannot be installed on Macs or mobile devices using the iOS or Android operating system. For more info, go here.

Install Your QuickBooks Desktop Trial Software

    Part 1: Register for the Software

  1. Navigate to https://intuit.me/labyrinth-desktop.

    2. Use this link. Don't go to the Intuit Education main page!

  2. Fill in the form entirely, entering your own information, then click Verify and Continue.

    3. You'll either be instantly verified or asked to provide additional documentation.

  3. Follow the step for your situation:


    4. Second-Level Verification

  4. Download or scan one of the required forms of verification to your computer.

    5. Acceptable documentation includes a class schedule, transcript, tuition receipt, or any official document that shows your full name, school name, and a date within the last three months.

    NOTE! The documentation must be clear (not fuzzy) and show your full name, as used in step 1. Black out or otherwise disguise any confidential information.
  5. Click Choose File, navigate to and select the file, and click Open.
  6. Click Submit for Review.

    7. When your submission meets the requirements, you'll be sent an email with a link to the software and your license and product numbers. Continue with Part 2. (If you have issues, contact SheerID.)


    Part 2: Install the Software

  7. In the email you received, click "please click here to download a .exe file" (or similar).

    8. please click here

    The software will download. How it displays and is accessed depends on your web browser. This guide shows Google Chrome.

  8. Click Download . (If you don't see a Download button, skip to the next step.)

    9. Intuit's How to Install QuickBooks video can be a helpful guide.

  9. Close all open programs (including antivirus programs) then click the .exe file at the bottom of the browser window. Click Yes to allow QuickBooks to make changes to your computer.
  10. Click Next.

    11. The Intuit Desktop Installer window displays.

  11. Move through the screen(s) for accepting the license agreement.

    12. The process can change at any time. Some of the names and features indicated here may be different on the screen you see now. Follow the prompts.

  12. Enter your license and product numbers (from the email you received) and click Next.

    13. please click here

  13. Ensure the Express (recommended) option is selected and click Next.
  14. Click Install.

    15. The installation can take time, so be patient!

  15. When the installation is complete, click Open QuickBooks.
  16. If necessary, click OK in the "How QuickBooks Desktop uses your Internet connection" or other window.

    17. The QuickBooks Home Page is displayed. You may continue to the next topic.

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Activate Your Trial

To use the software for the full length of the trial, you must activate it within 30 days of installation. You'll likely be prompted to activate directly after the installation.

  1. Click Activate in the pop-up window or, from the toolbar, choose Help > Activate QuickBooks Desktop and then click Activate.

    2. Left figure: Activation screen. Right figure: Help toolbar with the Activate QuickBooks Desktop option highlighted

  2. Follow the step for your situation:
    • If you have an existing Intuit account, sign in.
    • If you don't have an account, choose to create one. Fill in the fields then click Create Account.
  3. On the next screen, complete the required fields (those with an asterisk *) for your customer account and click Next.

    4. Don't use fictitious information. If you don't have a company name, enter your name in the Company Name field.

    In the "Tell us about your company" section, choose the settings shown below.

    Review Your Customer Account   Tell us about your company

  4. Print the confirmation page or save it as a PDF file for your records.

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Toggle to Pro -- QuickBooks 2019 & Earlier

For QuickBooks 2019 and earlier users, your trial software defaults to the Accountant edition and you must toggle to the Pro edition every time you start QuickBooks.

Note! If you're using a QuickBooks trial with Labyrinth's Payroll Accounting book, there's no need to toggle to Pro.
  1. From the menu bar, choose File > Toggle to Another Edition.

    2. Toggle

  2. Click in the circle to the left of QuickBooks Pro and click Next.

    3. Select the QuickBooks Edition you want to use

  3. Click Toggle.

    4. The title bar will show that you're toggled to the correct edition.

    QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2019 (via Accountant)

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Common Questions

Why do I have to download and install the software, isn't it the same thing? Downloading pulls a package from the Internet and places it on your computer. Installing essentially opens that package and sets up the software for use.

Do I have to toggle to the Pro edition? If you're using a QuickBooks Desktop book (2019 and earlier) and Quick Grader, you must toggle to Pro so the system can grade your reports. It also ensures your screen matches the illustrations in the book. Remember to toggle to Pro every time you start QuickBooks. If you're using a QuickBooks Desktop 2020 or Payroll Accounting book, you don't need to toggle to Pro.

What if I am taking a QuickBooks course and a Payroll course at the same time? You only need one installation of the software for both courses.

What if I am taking a QuickBooks course and a Payroll course in different semesters? Intuit allows you to receive one student license during a 12-month period. If you request a second trial license within 12 months, you may be rejected; for assistance, contact Intuit Education Support.

How do I use the QuickBooks trial software with my Payroll Accounting textbook? Refer to your "Payroll Accounting" resource center or eLab course for guidance.

What if I’m using a Mac? Your QuickBooks trial software is for use on Windows-based PCs. It cannot not be installed on Mac computers or mobile devices using the iOS or Android operating system. While Intuit does offer a QuickBooks Desktop for the Mac, they do not provide it to students for free and the files provided with this course will not work with it. For more information about QuickBooks Desktop Mac versions, visit the Intuit website.

What is SheerID and how can I learn more about it? Find SheerID frequently asked questions here.

Trial Software Support

Labyrinth Learning cannot provide technical support for QuickBooks trial software. Intuit Education provides the following support options.

  1. For issues with obtaining a trial software license, contact SheerID.
  2. For installation or registration issues, including site license assistance, email [email protected].
  3. You can also reach the Intuit edu tech support team M-F 6am-6pm PST via live chat. For QuickBooks Desktop tech support, click here.

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